Everyone, meet Superman. He lives on my desk at work. Why would a 24 year old have a stuffed Superman doll on her desk? It's actually a great story...
The L.E. Phillips Career Development Center's mission is to be a viable business enterprise as a means to provide meaningful and appropriate vocational services and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and disadvantages. My first week at the CDC was a whirlwind. I had an amazing experience. I was fortunate enough to be able to see the end game of what this amazing organization does within 5 days of starting.
There were 2 events during my first week. The first was a retirement party for one of the individuals. The CDC has been operating for 59 years. This individual was retiring after working here for 55 years. 55 YEARS! That's a long time to stay at any company! It makes it even more amazing that he worked for the majority of the time that the company has been in business! Everyone gathered during lunch time and got to celebrate this amazing person's contribution to the company.
The second event was for a program called Project SEARCH. This program serves as almost a 5th year of high school, and provides young adults with a year long internship where they learn various skills through working different departments at a company. At the end of the program, each person will be prepared (and guaranteed assistance) in finding a job! I got to go to a graduation party for this program at Action City, an indoor arcade/trampoline center/go-kart/all around fun place. I spent the day racing the kids, eating great pizza, jumping at the trampoline park with them, and ended the day playing arcade and crane games. Some of the kids helped me play some crane games, because I am absolutely awful at them. That's when I won my buddy Superman.
I was riding back to the office with my CEO, thinking about what an amazing week I had. Staring at tiny Superman, I was reminded of something I loved about my mom's office. My mom has been in the non-profit sector for 10 years (give or take). She worked for WPBS for quite a few years before we moved to Wisconsin. My mom has always kept a tiny Elmo at her desk as a reminder of what she is doing and who she is doing it for. Superman was going to be my reminder.
We all have days where we are sad, stressed, disappointed, lost, confused, or just not feeling like doing what we are supposed to. It can be hard when the going gets rough. I keep Superman on my desk to remind me of the amazing first week I had. At the end of the day, everything I do is for the individuals that CDC works with that are disabled or disadvantaged. When I remember that, I remember that there is a purpose to what I am doing, and I am re-energized to do what I need to.
ALSO, he has a cool little Team RWB bracelet hanging around him as a utility belt. Team RWB is an amazing organization that helps veterans get connected with their community, and gives them opportunities and outlets to network. I am a very proud member of this organization and belong to a chapter the my parents co-founded and co-president.
It just takes a few seconds of looking down at this tiny toy to remember that what I am doing matters. And at the end of the day, that's everyone's goal, right?
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